Gammanpila Claims Government May Arrest Him Over Easter Attack Reports Leak

Udaya Gammanpila, leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, has alleged that the government is considering arresting him under the State Secrets Act and the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Speaking at a press conference held at the party office, Gammanpila said there were high-level discussions within the government about his potential arrest following his threat to release confidential reports concerning the 2019 Easter Sunday attack. The reports are said to contain sensitive national security information that the government has refrained from making public.

During the press briefing, Gammanpila highlighted his demand for the government to disclose the findings of the committee reports on the Easter attacks within seven days. He had earlier warned that if the government did not comply, he would release the reports himself. The government’s media spokesman, Minister Vijitha Herath, responded by calling for Gammanpila to hand over the documents and criticized him for possessing them, deeming it a serious crime. In reply, Gammanpila questioned why the reports had not been made public despite repeated promises to do so when the current administration was in opposition.

Gammanpila argued that the public has a constitutional right to access the information in the reports, which were compiled with public funds. He accused the government of attempting to suppress the reports, thus denying citizens the right to know the truth behind the tragic attacks. “The public has a right to know the content of a report prepared with public money,” he asserted, adding that withholding the information obstructs the freedom of thought guaranteed by the Constitution.

He also criticized the government’s focus on investigating how he obtained the reports, rather than addressing why the information had leaked from the Presidential Secretariat. Gammanpila stated that he received the documents on October 10 and verified their authenticity before announcing his intentions at a press conference on October 14. He argued that if holding the report for four days is a crime, then the current President, who had the documents for over three weeks, and the former President, who held them for three months, should also be considered responsible.

The Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader highlighted that past governments had similarly called for transparency while in opposition, but now hesitated to act once in power. He pointed out that the two reports were leaked soon after the new administration took office, implying internal conflicts or disloyalties may be at play.

Regarding national security concerns, Gammanpila clarified that he would not release any of the attachments to the reports, which contain sensitive intelligence. However, he insisted that the main contents should be disclosed for the public to know the truth behind the Easter attack investigation, which is a highly sensitive and politically charged issue in Sri Lanka. The reports’ secrecy has fueled speculation and frustration among the victims’ families, who continue to seek justice.

Gammanpila reiterated his determination to make the documents public if the President does not fulfill his promise to disclose them. “No matter what threats come from the government or arrest me, we will make these two reports public next Monday if the President does not act for the right of the people of this country to know the truth and freedom of thought,” he vowed.

The Easter Sunday bombings in 2019, which targeted churches and hotels, killed over 250 people and injured hundreds more, leaving a deep impact on Sri Lankan society. The subsequent investigations have been criticized for their lack of transparency, with multiple government changes further complicating the matter. The reports in question are believed to address the findings of the committee that investigated the attacks, potentially shedding light on lapses in security and accountability.

Gammanpila’s stance comes amid heightened political tension, as figures associated with the previous administration, including former President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, face scrutiny over their roles in handling the aftermath of the attacks. The opposition has accused the current government of using the reports for political leverage rather than pursuing justice for the victims. Gammanpila’s challenge has thus brought renewed focus on the unresolved questions surrounding the Easter Sunday tragedy, pressuring the government to provide clarity on the matter.